With the Summer months now with us many people have got the BBQ out and are planning those regular al fresco cooking sessions. A BBQ gives you the perfect opportunity to invite a much larger group of friends than usual as they can make use of the extra room to relax while enjoying the sunshine.
However, larger groups tend to be a little more difficult to cater for as you need to take into account how much space you have on your BBQ as well as how much time you are prepared to spend cooking rather than socialising. Luckily there are lots of great BBQ catering food ideas available that allow you to show off your culinary skills and impress your guests with delicious food.
Delicious BBQ Food Ideas For Large Groups
Have you got a good appetite because the recipes we are going to give you will have you racing to fire up the bbq whatever the weather. While the majority of these recipes are dependent on a BBQ you can prepare some of them in the kitchen to give you more room on the grill. When catering for large groups a good tip is to make as much use of your kitchen as possible. By utilising the vast array of recipes at our disposal we have got something for everyone, no matter whether your preference is for meat, seafood or vegetarian fare. Read on to see which of these tasty dishes appeal to your taste buds. We also offer a hog roast catering service for weddings or parties.
1. Cheeseburger Kebabs
Burgers are an integral part of any BBQ which is why we have put this dish at the top of the list. However, with a little invention we have managed to put our own take on the classic cheeseburger. There are a number of different things that make up the perfect burger which means they aren’t exactly ideal when catering for large numbers. By the time you get all your patties on the grill there will literally be no room for anything else. This means it’s either burgers all day or waiting till they are finished to cook anything else.
Alternatively why not grab some BBQ skewers, add some ground beef, tomatoes, pickles and onions then put them on the BBQ to cook covered in american melting cheese. This will not only free up space on the BBQ but remove the need for other ingredients and buns. Not only is this quicker and more convenient but we guarantee your guests will love them.
2. Baked BBQ Chicken
Every BBQ needs its share of sticky BBQ chicken, wings, thighs and drumsticks. This delectable baked BBQ chicken dish offers meat that is wonderfully crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside. An added bonus is that you can prepare this meal the night before by marinating it overnight and then baking it in your oven, freeing up your BBQ grill space. This recipe is sure to be a hit!
3. Honey Glazed Chicken Wings
Now here is another tasty chicken dish that may not instantly sound particularly exciting; they are right up there when it comes to crowd pleasers. Not only that but they can be prepared easily in large batches.
When BBQing chicken our suggestion would be to oven cook it first which will ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Let’s face it wouldn’t be a good look if you made your guests ill. After they have been finished on the BBQ and have that smoked taste no one will be able to tell the difference. Marinating them overnight allows every wing to soak up flavour and remember to keep some sauce to one side so they can be coated again while on the BBQ.
4. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Another dish that is relatively easy to prepare for large groups but they look impressive and are extremely popular with guests who are not fans of meat. To give them a kick you could add a nice cajun and garlic marinade. If you do them on small skewers you could use them as sides for larger dishes.
5. Mac ‘N’ Cheese
Here’s another great option for vegetarians and a BBQ staple from across the Atlantic: While many people consider it a dish for kids, it’s actually quite versatile and makes an ideal BBQ side. You can stick to the classic version or customise it by adding bacon bits and various cheeses.
6. Steak Fajitas
All that is required for this scrumptious offering are a few rib eye steaks, some tortillas and any other fillings you feel like adding. Before you cook them on the BBQ seal the steaks in a pan with your choice of marinade. When cooked just cut them into strips and serve to your guests, they then have the option of finishing off their fajita with their preferred fillings. Which may include guacamole, salsa, sour cream or peppers.
7. Pulled Pork Brioche Buns
Currently one of the dishes that is right at top of the request list when we cater for large private parties. A great option if you are BBQing for a big group and they continue to prove to be a hit with guests of all ages. If you are unsure about catering for a large group why not speak to our team who can tailor a BBQ menu to your specific needs. If you do make sure you pick our pulled pork brioche buns we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
8. Sweet and Sticky BBQ Salmon
Another tasty fish dish which may not immediately come to mind when you are fashioning a BBQ menu but one that is delicious nonetheless. There is no doubt that this will be one of the first things a seafood lover will reach for. Cover it in honey glaze then wrap it in foil and cook it on the BBQ you will get a dish that is tender and full of flavour. Even though it is easy to create it will even impress guests with a fussy palette.
9. DIY Hot Dog Bar
Guests will always expect there to be Hot dogs at a BBQ whether made from traditional English sausages or American style hot dogs. For our hot dog bar a mixture of the two would be a good choice. All you need to do is cook as many sausages as possible on your BBQ and then put them onto your hot dog bar where your hot dog buns and a variety of toppings are waiting. This gives you a chance to get creative by adding lots of different toppings.
10. Paella
Not every BBQ meal needs to be prepared on a standard grill. Consider stepping outside the usual BBQ fare and delighting your guests with something truly distinctive and delicious! Paella, often found at street food markets due to its suitability for large batches, is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it a great addition to our list. You might be wondering how to whip up a paella for a big group, but it’s actually easier than you might imagine.
11. BABY BACK PORK RIBS
To finish in style our last offering are baby back pork ribs. If you are looking to throw in a real show stopper what better than a large rack of ribs that your guests can get stuck into. A rack of ribs fit seamlessly into any BBQ menu and are perfect when you are catering for a large group.
Now if you are faced with an event for a lot of guests but don’t fancy doing the cooking you could go on the internet and search BBQ catering near me. Alternatively you could call the team here at Sadlergates and take advantage of our high quality and competitively priced BBQ catering service. Our team will discuss your requirements and create a bespoke menu just for you.
